Fix Your Stuff Community Store

MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace a faulty logic board in your MacBook Air 13" Early 2015.

Be sure to apply a new layer of thermal paste before reinstalling your heat sink on your new logic board.

What you need

  1. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1
    Tool used on this step:
    P5 Pentalobe Screwdriver Retina MacBook Pro and Air
    $5.99
    Buy

    • Before proceeding, power down your MacBook. Close the display and lay it on a soft surface, top-side down.

    • Use a P5 Pentalobe driver to remove ten screws securing the lower case, of the following lengths:

    • Two 9 mm screws

    • Eight 2.6 mm screws

    Edit

  2. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Wedge your fingers between the display and the lower case and pull upward to pop the lower case off the Air.

    • Remove the lower case and set it aside.

    Edit

  3. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement, Battery Connector: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • To ensure that everything is de-energized and won't turn on while you're working, it is recommended that you disconnect the battery.

    • Grab the clear plastic pull tab attached to the battery connector and pull it parallel to the board toward the front edge of the Air.

    • Do not lift upward on the connector as you disconnect it or you risk damage to the connector socket.

    Edit

  4. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement, I/O Board Cable: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the I/O board cable connector up out of its socket on the I/O board.

    Edit

  5. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1

    • Carefully peel the I/O board cable from the adhesive securing it to the top of the fan.

    • During reassembly, make sure this cable is in the correct orientation. It will fit if reversed, but the laptop will not boot.

    Edit

  6. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • The following connector has an especially deep socket. Use care when disconnecting it.

    • While gently pulling the I/O board cable upward near its connection to the logic board, use the flat end of a spudger to pry up on alternating sides of the connector to help "walk" it out of its socket.

    • Remove the I/O board cable.

    Edit

  7. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement, Fan: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the fan cable ZIF socket.

    • Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.

    Edit

  8. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Peel the rubber gasket off the adhesive on the top of the fan.

    Edit

  9. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following three screws securing the fan to the upper case:

    • One 5.2 mm T5 Torx screw

    • One 3.3 mm T5 Torx screw

    • One 4.4 mm T5 Torx screw with a short head

    Edit

  10. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the fan from the I/O board side and pull it free from the upper case.

    • Removing the fan will also disconnect the fan ribbon cable. Be careful not to snag it.

    Edit

  11. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement, I/O Board: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Disconnect the I/O board by pulling its power cable away from its socket on the logic board.

    • Pull the cable parallel to the face of the logic board toward the right edge of the Air.

    Edit

  12. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the left speaker cable connector up and out of its socket on the I/O board.

    • Pry up from beneath the wires.

    Edit

  13. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Use the tip of a spudger to carefully flip up the retaining flap on the microphone ribbon cable ZIF socket.

    • Make sure you are flipping up the retaining flap, not the socket itself.

    Edit

  15. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the single 4.1 mm T5 Torx screw securing the I/O board to the upper case.

    Edit

  16. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 15, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 15, image 2 of 2

    • Gently de-route the camera cable from its notch on the I/O board and push it out of the way with the tip of a spudger.

    Edit

  17. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the I/O board from the logic board side and pull it free from the upper case.

    • Removing the I/O board will also disconnect the microphone ribbon cable. Be careful not to snag it.

    Edit

  18. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement, Battery: step 17, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following five screws securing the battery to the upper case:

    • Three 6.9 mm T5 Torx screws

    • Two 3.0 mm T5 Torx screws

    Edit

  19. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 18, image 1 of 1

    • When handling the battery, avoid squeezing or touching the four exposed lithium polymer cells.

    • Lift the battery from its edge nearest the logic board and remove it from the upper case.

    • Your replacement battery may arrive with a plastic film lightly adhered to the top surface. Remove this film when you install the battery. However, if the film is glued on and is difficult to remove, you should leave the film in place.

    • If you're installing a new battery, you should calibrate it after installation:

    • Charge it to 100%, and then keep charging it for at least 2 more hours. Then, unplug and use it normally to drain the battery. When you see the low battery warning, save your work, and keep your laptop on until it goes to sleep due to low battery. Wait at least 5 hours, then charge your laptop uninterrupted to 100%.

    • If you notice any unusual behavior or problems after installing your new battery, you may need to reset your MacBook's SMC.

    Edit

  20. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement, Logic Board Assembly: step 19, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement, Logic Board Assembly: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • Grab the plastic pull tab secured to the display data cable lock and rotate it towards the top side of the computer.

    Edit

  21. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 20, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 20, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the display data cable connector straight away from its socket.

    • Make sure to pull the connector parallel to the logic board, do not lift straight up from its socket.

    Edit

  22. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 21, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 21, image 2 of 2

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both antenna cable connectors up and off their sockets on the AirPort/Bluetooth card.

    Edit

  23. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 22, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 22, image 2 of 2

    • Disconnect the camera cable connector with the tip of a spudger.

    • Push first on one side of the connector, then on the other side to carefully "walk" it out of its socket.

    • Pull the camera cable parallel to the face of the I/O board toward the front edge of the Air to disconnect it from its socket.

    • Do not lift upward on this cable as you disconnect it, as its socket may break off the logic board.

    Edit

  24. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 23, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 23, image 2 of 2

    • Use the tip of a spudger or your fingernail to flip up the retaining flap on the trackpad ribbon cable ZIF socket.

    • Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.

    • Pull the trackpad ribbon cable straight out of its socket toward the front edge of the Air.

    • During reassembly, ensure that this cable is inserted fully into the connector. If not, your keyboard, trackpad, or battery may not work as expected.

    Edit

  25. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 24, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 24, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 24, image 3 of 3

    • Use the tip of a spudger to flip up the retaining flap on the keyboard backlight ribbon cable ZIF socket.

    • Be sure you are prying up on the hinged retaining flap, not the socket itself.

    • Use your spudger to gently pull the keyboard backlight ribbon cable out of its socket.

    Edit

  26. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 25, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the right speaker cable connector up and out of its socket on the logic board.

    • It is recommended to pry up from beneath the cables.

    Edit

  27. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 26, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the six 6.3 mm T5 Torx screws securing the logic board to the upper case.

    • On some models these may be 4.1 mm T5 Torx screws.

    Edit

  28. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 27, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the inner two 4.9 mm T8 Torx screws securing the antenna cable retainer and left clutch hinge to the upper case.

    Edit

  29. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 28, image 1 of 1

    • Push the antenna cable retainer away slightly and remove the 3 mm T5 Torx screw securing the end of the heat sink to the upper case.

    Edit

  30. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 29, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 29, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 29, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the flat end of a spudger under the right speaker from the end nearest the hinge to the front edge of the Air to loosen the adhesive.

    • Remove the right speaker from the upper case.

    Edit

  31. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 30, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 30, image 2 of 2

    • Carefully remove the logic board assembly from the upper case, minding any cables that may get caught.

    • During reassembly:

    • Keep loose cables clear of the board so they aren't caught under it.

    • Make sure the antenna cables are inserted into their respective notches, as highlighted in the second picture.

    Edit

  32. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement, Logic Board: step 31, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the single 2.85 mm T5 Torx screw securing the SSD to the logic board.

    Edit

  33. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 32, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 32, image 2 of 2

    • To avoid damaging its socket, do not lift the end of the SSD excessively.

    • Pull the drive straight out of its socket and remove it from the logic board.

    • When reinstalling the SSD, be sure it is properly seated before reinstalling its retaining screw.

    Edit

  34. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 33, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the AirPort/Bluetooth board to the logic board.

    Edit

  35. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 34, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 34, image 2 of 2

    • To avoid damaging its socket, do not lift the end of the AirPort/Bluetooth board excessively.

    • Slightly lift the free end of the AirPort/Bluetooth board and pull it out of its socket on the logic board.

    • Remove the AirPort/Bluetooth board from the logic board.

    Edit

  36. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 35, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the four 2.5 mm T5 Torx screws securing the heat sink to the logic board.

    Edit

  37. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 36, image 1 of 2 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 36, image 2 of 2

    • If the heat sink seems to be stuck to the logic board after removing all four screws, use a spudger to carefully separate the heat sink from the faces of the CPU and GPU.

    • Remove the heat sink from the logic board.

    • When reinstalling the heat sink, be sure to apply a new layer of thermal paste. If you have never applied thermal paste before, we have a guide that makes it easy.

    Edit

  38. MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 37, image 1 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 37, image 2 of 3 MacBook Air 13" Early 2015 Logic Board Replacement: step 37, image 3 of 3

    • When reassembling your device, be sure the heat sink's rubber gasket is installed correctly. The nub on the gasket should mate with the hole cut into the logic board near the heat sink fins.

    • The tail of the gasket should fit into the notch in the heat sink, it should not end up underneath the heat sink tab that will rest on the logic board.

    • Make sure the antenna cables are inserted into their respective notches on the logic board, as highlighted in the last picture.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers community for help.

80 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 5 other contributors

Sam Goldheart

Member since: 10/18/12

471,438 Reputation

538 Guides authored

Badges: 48

+45 more badges

Team

iFixit Member of iFixit

Staff

118 Members

19,410 Guides authored

15 Comments

Wow, you saved me $1000 bucks! I spilled brandy on my MacBook Air and followed your instructions to completely strip it down. I followed instructions for cleaning circuit boards after a spill from another page on this site. My MacBook works perfectly now!

Your instructions were great. You might note that there is some variation in the placement of different components, ribbon connectors, etc., but I figured it out by zooming in on your pictures and finding a picture of each exact component. They look the same, even though they are in different spots. I found out you can dunk the circuit boards in 91% rubbing alcohol, clean the parts with a soft toothbrush, and let it all dry. I didn’t bother with removing and replacing the heat sink and thermal paste. After soaking in the alcohol, I saw that the heat sinks were still firmly attached thermal paste looked fine, so I left it alone. I liked your specific descriptions about which way to pull or lift the ribbon connectors, and using the right tools! Thanks!

Sharon - Reply

I am afraid if you soaked the whole unit in alcohol, the heat sink paste is probably ruined? If the unit seems to get hot or shut off spontaneously, I would consider taking it apart AGAIN, and cleaning and relating the heat sink with fresh new thermal paste. You can clean the old paste off with Alcohol, do you see why that worries me ;~)

max damage -

Do you know where can i buy pre owned motherboard like this that can be trusted? Mine is missused and cant turn on.

triesniaf - Reply

Can anyone please let me know where to buy Motherboard, my macbook air is not getting started. they said there is a moisture on the logic board.

శ్రీ - Reply

Hi Sriram, we have links to the motherboards (Apple calls them Logic Boards) at the top of this guide.

Sam Goldheart -

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 13

Past 7 Days: 123

Past 30 Days: 476

All Time: 132,425